Did you do something to my dad?
I tried to not look as rude as possible when I met Remart's gaze.
"Why are you looking at me like that? The way you look at the Prince of this Empire is quite rude."
Oops, I guess I didn't control my expression well enough.
'He's sharp...'
I quickly pulled up the corners of my mouth and bowed.
"Greetings, Your Highness the Prince!"
I must bow down before him. A half-noble like me couldn't stand a chance against the Prince of this Empire. Our necks would be flying in an instant if we got on his nerves.
What if he hurts me and takes Ex as he intended before...!
I greeted him with a smile, but he just snapped at me.
"Don't greet me. I brought you to the capital and gave you a room in the palace only for you to disappear without news."
"Ack, I'm sorry. Didn't my dad notify you...?"
"He did, but you didn't say it yourself."
"I should notify you personally...?"
Huh?
Upon sensing something ominous, I glanced at the escort who stood behind Remart and raised my eyebrows.
It was a gesture to ask why this boy was so mean to me for no reason, but the escort only laughed awkwardly as if he understood what I meant.
Ah, it seems like I'm not the only one who's sick of this boy's antics. That escort guard must have it worse.
"Anyway, I've heard the whole explanation from him."
He pointed to my dad who was just getting out of the carriage. A rattling sound rang out endlessly as my dad pulled down a big sack from the carriage.
It must be some kind of iron ore. It was a bit of a hassle to go out to the market again, so he must have bought it while he was out.
Even back in the village, he used to buy everything at once because he was too lazy to go out often.
I felt bad for my dad, who looked like he almost fainted unloading a heavy bag without the help of the escorts.
This is why it's very convenient if you purchase it separately, Dad.
Then he wouldn't have to struggle alone pulling down the heavy bag while leaving me and the Prince in an awkward situation.
"How silly...."
[Stupid.]
Ferdinand's servants were surprised to see an adult man struggle to unload the bag by himself, so they rushed to help him take care of the bag.
"Eve!"
"Dad! What are those?"
"These are the materials I need to make a sword. I had some things I needed, so I purchased them while I was out, and I heard you decided to stay here for a while."
"Wow, did my grandfather tell you? How come the news travels so fast?"
"The Ferinand family owned carrier pigeons that can deliver messages faster than anything. You can ask your grandfather to show you around later. I'm sure he'll be happy to do that. And this person is..."
"Yes, I greeted His Highness just now. But why did he come with you?"
Remart, who listened to our conversation, chipped in.
"I also happen to have some business with Duke Ferdinand."
He has some business with Grandpa?
At that moment, the maids and servants rushed out from the entrance of the duke's residence. So did the knights in armor bearing Ferdinand's emblem.
All of them lined up and bowed politely in front of Remart.
"I greet the Shining Star of the Empire, His Royal Highness Remart Kalixt!"
The knights led the greetings and the maid finished it.
"I greet His Highness the Second Prince."
I looked at my surroundings with my eyes wide open because I had never seen so many knights and maids in rows doing a synchronized greeting.
But then again I knew this boy had a high social standing.
'He's not the one you can mess with.'
I shouldn't look at him cheekily again. I swear I never looked down and treated any customer rudely back in the village, but I must've gotten too carried away just because I live in a big house and eat delicious food.
Wake up, Eve Royce! You must discipline yourself.
At that moment, my grandfather and the head butler, Peter, come out from the entrance of the mansion.
The head butler bowed politely to Remart and greeted him, followed by my grandfather.
"Theobold Ferdinand greets His Highness the Prince."
"Yeah, I heard you have a favor to ask me. And I heard from Nial."
Remart extended his hand to Theobold.
"Congratulations, Duke Ferdinand, on the return of your granddaughter."
"It's all thanks to Your Highness. I was able to find my granddaughter because you called them to the capital."
"I'm flattered. The Duke's son-in-law has an incredible skill, so I called him to the capital, and I was lucky to find your granddaughter in the process."
I watched in awe as my grandfather and Remart exchange remarks so casually.
'Ohh, Remart speaks so well...'
I always saw him as just a boy who was similar to me, and it wasn't until I saw him talking to my grandfather that I realized he was on a different level than me.
If it were me, I would be fumbling for words, but he was able to concoct such a long sentence that was pleasant to hear.
[How can you think the Prince of the Empire is on the same level of education as a rural commoner girl in the first place?]
'Haven't I told you to stop looking into my mind?'
While I was arguing with Ex, Remart and my grandfather finished their conversation and walked into the mansion.
The knights and maids waited calmly without raising their heads until the two entered the mansion.
At that time, Ex spoke to me again.
[What are you doing without going in?]
Oh, right. I have to go in, too! Did these people stay on their posts because they waited for me to go in?
As I stood there mindlessly, my dad came over and scooped me up.
He was the type of guy who couldn't lift a heavy bag, but he didn't stumble at all when he lifted me up.
And I wasn't scared at all, even if my dad suddenly scooped me up. I went into the mansion with my dad's arms holding me tightly.
The knights and maids kept their heads down until my dad and I passed by them.
When I saw such a scene, I thought to myself.
'It must be hard to live as an employee of a noble family.'
My grandfather and Remart sat in the reception room and conversed with each other.
It was the same reception room where I waited for my dad on the first day I came to this mansion.
But...Why am I here?
While Remart and my grandfather had an important conversation, I sat still in the middle with a hot chocolate in my hand.
My dad left me alone again, saying that he had something to organize.
Hm, you kept leaving me alone. I swear I'll stick to you like a cicada on an old tree next time.
Of course, my dad should be where I am, but I don't need to be where he is all the time.
[What the hell are you talking about?]
There are things like that. It's a logic that only kids can understand.
While I was plotting revenge on my dad, Remart, who was sipping tea, began to talk.
"I want you to attach me to a swordsmanship teacher from your family. I'll give you a generous amount of compensation."
"But I'm sure Your Highness is aware that our family swordsmanship ability cannot be passed down unless it is someone who inherits the family bloodline."
My grandfather replied